How Advanced Oxidation Processes can help recover critical metals including lithium from geothe[...]

Organisation/Company Institut polytechnique UniLaSalle Research Field Environmental science » Water science Chemistry » Analytical chemistry Computer science » Modelling tools Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 30 Apr 2026 - 17:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Position Overview

PhD Position Title: How Advanced Oxidation Processes can help recover critical metals including lithium from geothermal brines?

Doctoral Candidate (DC) Number: 12

Work Package Number: 4

Research Field(s) (EURAXESS classification): Environmental chemistry; Analytical chemistry; Chemical engineering / process engineering; Environmental engineering (water treatment); Geochemistry; Hydrogeology / geothermal systems; Brine geochemistry.

Host Institution (full legal name): UniLaSalle

Department / Research Group: AGHYLE

Country: FRANCE

Research activities Start Date (expected): September 1st 2026

Duration: 36 months

Working Hours: 39 hours per week

MiningBrines ( M ultidisciplinary I ntegration and N etworking for IN creased sustainability and multi-resources valorization of G eothermal Brines ) offers an innovative doctoral training program to address Europe's strategic need for sustainable access to critical raw materials (CRM), energy gases (EG) and renewable energies.

19 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) will receive interdisciplinary training in geosciences (Work Packages 2 and 3), biogeochemistry (Work Package 4), artificial intelligence (AI) (Work Package 5), and socio-economic analysis (Work Package 6), equipping them with advanced skills in reservoir modeling, machine learning, advanced oxidation processes (AOP), and microbial enhanced recovery. DCs will also develop intuitive fluid chemistry modeling workflows and innovative multi-criteria intelligent decision support tools, preparing them to drive innovation in geothermal brine mining while collaborating with academic and industrial partners on practical solutions.

MiningBrines introduces novel techniques to maximize geothermal multi-resource recovery while minimizing environmental impact. Key innovations include microbial-driven CRM recovery, customized AOP workflows, scalable AI models, and decision support tools that consider technological, economic, and societal aspects. These advances aim to reduce the environmental footprint of resource extraction and align with the sustainability goals of the EU Green Deal.

MiningBrines supports the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act by combining CRM and EG recovery with renewable energy production and circular economy principles, reducing Europe's import dependency and strengthening resilience. In addition, MiningBrines emphasizes collaborative education to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals capable of transforming geothermal multi-resources into a key driver of Europe's green transition.

The impact of MiningBrines goes beyond scientific advances, fostering a skilled workforce for academic and industrial sectors, while establishing Europe as a global leader in sustainable resource management.

MiningBrines promotes public awareness of the multiple benefits of geothermal energy, setting a standard for green industrial practices and long-term strategic autonomy.

DC12 Research Project Description

Objectives

The doctoral researcher will investigate how advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), including Fenton-type reactions, photocatalysis, ozonation, and radical-based oxidative treatments, can modify the chemical speciation and reactivity of dissolved metals in geothermal waters in order to improve their selective recovery. A primary objective is to characterise the chemical composition and speciation of metals in geothermal brines from selected European sites, establishing a robust geochemical baseline for subsequent oxidative treatments.

The project aims to evaluate how different AOPs influence metal oxidation states, ligand dynamics, complex stability, and overall extractability, with particular focus on critical materials such as Li, Co, Ga, and rare earth elements. Another objective is to develop optimised AOP-based workflows capable of enhancing selective metal recovery under geothermal-relevant conditions. The research will also integrate geochemical modelling tools, such as PHREEQC, to predict metal speciation and reaction pathways under oxidative regimes. In parallel, the candidate will collaborate with partners working on biological extraction methods, membrane technologies, and AI-driven decision systems to ensure methodological compatibility and system-level optimisation. Finally, the environmental performance of AOP-based approaches will be assessed within the sustainability framework of the Doctoral Network.

Methods

The research will begin with comprehensive chemical characterisation of geothermal brines from selected European sites. Major, minor, and trace element concentrations will be determined, and metal speciation will be constrained through analytical techniques combined with thermodynamic modelling. Particular attention will be given to identifying dominant aqueous complexes, oxidation states, and ligand interactions controlling metal mobility and extractability.

Controlled laboratory experiments will then be conducted to evaluate the effects of different advanced oxidation processes on brine chemistry. Fenton-type reactions, photocatalytic systems, ozonation, and other radical-based oxidative treatments will be applied under carefully monitored conditions to assess changes in oxidation state, ligand breakdown, complexation behaviour, and precipitation tendencies. Pre- and post-treatment analyses will quantify modifications in metal speciation and determine improvements in downstream extraction efficiency.

Geochemical modelling using tools such as PHREEQC will be employed to simulate oxidative scenarios, predict metal speciation under varying redox conditions, and interpret experimental results. Model calibration will rely on experimentally derived kinetic and equilibrium parameters, enabling scenario testing and optimisation of treatment strategies.

Close collaboration with partners developing biological extraction technologies, membrane separation systems, and AI-driven optimisation tools will ensure integration of AOP workflows into broader process chains. Comparative testing will evaluate compatibility between oxidative pre-treatment and subsequent recovery steps. Environmental performance assessments will be carried out using sustainability metrics defined within the network, examining reagent consumption, energy demand, by-product formation, and potential ecological impacts.

Expected Results

The project is expected to deliver a detailed understanding of metal speciation in European geothermal brines and to quantify how advanced oxidation processes modify chemical reactivity and extractability. It will establish optimised AOP-based treatment protocols tailored to enhance recovery of selected critical materials.

The integration of experimental data with geochemical modelling will provide predictive capability for oxidative metal mobilisation and support process optimisation. Through collaboration with complementary technological platforms and sustainability assessment, the research will contribute to the development of efficient, environmentally responsible workflows for critical material recovery from geothermal waters.

Supervisory Team

Co-supervisor(s): LeVinh Hoang (ULS)

Planned Secondments (institution, country, duration)

The first secondment will take place at UNINE, Switzerland, under the supervision of Saskia Bindschedler, from January to May 2028, and will focus on understanding microbial enrichment processes and competition with Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP).

The second secondment will be hosted by VITO, Belgium, under the supervision of Ben Laenen, from May to June 2029, with the objective of carrying out and testing AOP on site.

The third secondment will take place at KURITA, Germany, under the supervision of Argyro Spinthaki, and will aim to further test AOP technology, specifically assessing the degradation of TSPT agents.

Training and Network Environment

The successful candidate will be part of the MiningBrines Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network, a European training program bringing together universities, research institutes, and industry partners.

Doctoral candidates will benefit from:

• Joint network-wide training schools and workshops
• International research secondments
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities
• An interdisciplinary and international research environment

Where to apply

E-mail

Requirements

Research Field Environmental science » Water science

Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Chemistry » Analytical chemistry

Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Computer science » Modelling tools

Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must hold:

• a national Master's degree or a degree conferring the rank of Master (120 ECTS after a Bachelor's degree), or
• a foreign degree recognized as equivalent and allowing access to doctoral studies. If necessary, candidates must provide and submit documents to prove this.

Applicants must:

• have a strong motivation for interdisciplinary research and the willingness to cooperate within an international team.
• show excellent command of spoken and written English (mandatory).
• Solid knowledge in aqueous chemistry and/or advanced oxidation processes.
• Experience with experimental laboratory work.
• Strong motivation to work in an interdisciplinary, international environment.
• Experience with geochemical modelling (PHREEQC, Geochemist’s Workbench, or similar).
• Background in metal speciation, redox chemistry, or water treatment technologies.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques (ICP-MS, voltammetry, spectroscopy).
• Knowledge of critical raw materials and their environmental challenges.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

• Salary: MSCA living allowance + mobility allowance (+ family allowance if applicable), adjusted by country correction coefficient
• Social security: Full coverage according to national regulations
• Funding is provided for research, training and networking activities

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must comply with the MSCA eligibility criteria:

Researchers funded by Doctoral Networks

• must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment
• can be of any nationality
• should be enrolled in a doctoral program during the project
• should comply with the mobility rules: in general, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date
• a 1-page critical summary of an article of their choice
• the name of two contact persons (former teachers or supervisors, who are asked to send a support letter)
• academic credentials to a dedicated email address.

2nd round of selection

The 3 best candidates for a position will be interviewed by videoconference.

During the interview, additional scientific and soft skills competences will be evaluated.

Recruitment follows MSCA principles of transparency, merit-based evaluation, and equal opportunities. State security requirements are out of the MiningBrines Consortium hands.

Additional comments

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe under grant agreement No.

This project has received funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Institut Polytechnique UniLaSalle (ULS) Country France Geofield

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO) Country Belgium Geofield